Thursday, December 17, 2009

It's Chanukah!

While this is a forum for promoting music, a few words should be said about this “health care reform” that's attempting to make its way through the Senate at present. Thus far, the Senate has dropped the option of a government-run health plan, scrapped the proposed option to allow 55-64-year olds to buy into Medicare (thanks, Lieberman), and the House and Senate can't agree on whether public funds ought to be used to subsidize abortion. So where's the reform? Creating an insurance mandate without capping the cost of private insurance or preventing rescission will only put more money in the pockets of private insurers. If we can afford to buy said insurance, anyway. And subsidizing coverage for those who can't afford the full cost seems a waste when subsidies would cover amounts up to 88% for individuals making up to $43,320 a year – this would amount to quite a few people receiving assistance, when said subsidies could instead be pooled into, yes, a public health fund. According to this side-by-side comparison, the Senate bill would allow individuals without coverage to be fined $750 in 2016 for not purchasing coverage, while the House bill would end CHIP and instead create new subsidies for kids to receive private insurance. Really, now – is this reform bill even worth passing?